Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Will miss at least one week
Rotowire
Okongwu is dealing with left knee inflammation and will miss at least four games, NBA writer Marc Stein reports. The big man will be re-evaluated in approximately one week.
Okongwu won't be available to face the Spurs, Grizzlies, Timberwolves and Bulls, and the earliest chance he'll have to return will come against the Heat on Saturday, Nov. 28. Okongwu has been outstanding in the tandem at center with Clint Capela, and he's been fairly valuable in fantasy despite not starting in any of his 25 appearances. He's averaging 11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and a combined 1.4 steals-plus-blocks per game.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Crashes offensive glass
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Okongwu amassed 12 points (6-10 FG, 0-2 FT), 11 rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 23 minutes during Wednesday's 108-100 victory over the Knicks.
Okongwu's five offensive rebounds helped him record his fifth double-double of the season Wednesday. Across his last 10 outings, Okongwu is averaging 12.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 24.2 minutes.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Nearly double-doubles
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Okongwu totaled 14 points (5-10 FG, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, one assist and one steal in 25 minutes during Sunday's 141-111 loss to the Nuggets.
Okongwu saw 25 minutes compared to 19 for Clint Capela, and that's been a theme many times this season. Okongwu is averaging 24.0 minutes per contest compared to 22.7 for Capela, with both players returning 11th-round value in nine-category formats so far.
Okongwu closed with 16 points (5-10 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 6-6 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal in 28 minutes during Saturday's 107-104 victory over the Hornets.
Okongwu contributed in a big way off the bench, finishing second on his team in rebounds behind Clint Capela's 14 boards. Okongwu continues to serve in a reserve role behind Capela and struggled to consistently produce through his first 12 appearances of November, though he's looked sharp as a scorer of late, putting up double figures in three straight games.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Disappoints again Friday
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Okongwu closed with seven points (3-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds and one assist over 21 minutes during Friday's 136-122 loss to the Bulls.
Okongwu scored fewer than 10 points for the third straight game, continuing his poor start to the season. Across 15 games, Okongwu is averaging 10.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.4 combined steals and blocks in just 23.5 minutes per game. He is someone who has seemingly been ready to take the next step in his career for the past few seasons, yet he remains a backup center who has yet to reach his potential.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Scores in double figures
Rotowire
Okongwu posted 13 points (5-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 13 rebounds, two blocks and two steals across 26 minutes during Friday's 129-117 win over Washington.
Okongwu has now scored in double digits in back-to-back contests, and his 13-rebound night resulted in his second double-double of the 2024-25 campaign. The big man continues to come off the bench but once again outlogged Clint Capela in minutes, 26 to 22. However, consistency has been an issue of late for Okongwu, who's been held to eight or fewer points in three of his last five games.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Efficient despite loss Monday
Rotowire
Okongwu produced 18 points (8-12 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds and two steals in 23 minutes during Monday's 123-93 loss to Boston.
Okongwu continues to find ways to outplay Clint Capela on a steady basis, and at this point, it wouldn't be surprising if the former claims the starting role at center sooner rather than later. Okongwu is averaging 13.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.7 blocks across 23.8 minutes per contest in his six outings to date, so fantasy managers should continue to trust him even if he continues to play off the bench for the time being.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Available to play
Rotowire
Okongwu (toe) is available for Monday's game against the Celtics.
This is an expected move after Okongwu was held out of the front leg of the back-to-back set Sunday. In five regular-season appearances, Okongwu has averaged 12.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 24.4 minutes per contest.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Won't play Sunday
Rotowire
Okongwu (toe/rest) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Pelicans, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Okongwu will take a seat for the first half of a back-to-back set due to left big toe injury management, but he should be available for Monday's matchup against Boston. In his absence, Larry Nance should see increased minutes behind Clint Capela.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Late addition to injury report
Rotowire
Okongwu is questionable for Sunday's game against the Pelicans due to left big toe injury management, Kevin Chouinard of the Hawks' official site reports.
Sunday's game is the first half of a back-to-back set, so even if Okongwu plays against New Orleans, he may sit out Monday versus Boston. After exploding for 28 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in the regular-season opener, Okongwu has averaged 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.3 blocks in his last four appearances. If Okongwu sits out, Larry Nance and Dominick Barlow would be candidates for increased roles behind Clint Capela.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Minimal impact in loss
Rotowire
Okongwu had two points (1-5 FG, 0-4 3Pt), three rebounds and two assists over 24 minutes during Wednesday's 133-120 loss to the Wizards.
Okongwu returned to action Wednesday after missing Washington's previous contest with a toe injury. While the 23-year-old big man had a great Opening Night, he is averaging just 7.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.3 minutes in his last three appearances. Until he can officially supplant Clint Capela as the Hawks' starting center, Okongwu's statistical output will likely continue to be inconsistent.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Not listed on injury report
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Okongwu (toe) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game against the Wizards, Kevin Chouinard of the Hawks' official site reports.
Okongwu didn't play Monday against the Wizards, which was the second night of a back-to-back set, but he'll return to action Wednesday. After exploding for 28 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in the season opener, Okongwu totaled 21 points, 11 rebounds and two steals over his next two appearances before resting Monday.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Won't play Monday
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Okongwu (rest) will not play Monday against the Wizards, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Monday's game is the second leg of a back-to-back set, so the Hawks will give Okongwu the night off for injury management related to his left toe. Fantasy managers should expect him back for Wednesday's rematch against the Wizards. Clint Capela could see a higher floor Monday, while Larry Nance could see a bump in playing time.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Scores 14 points Sunday
Rotowire
Okongwu closed Sunday's 128-104 loss to the Thunder with 14 points (3-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 7-9 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 23 minutes.
Okongwu has played off the bench in Atlanta's first three games of the season, but he's outplayed Clint Capela from a scoring perspective each time, hitting double digits in two of those outings. Capela should remain the starting center due to the chemistry he has with Trae Young and also due to his defensive contributions, but Okongwu will remain a solid fantasy alternative as long as he continues to log more than 20 minutes per game off the bench on a steady basis.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Plays 26 minutes off bench Friday
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Okongwu amassed seven points (3-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt), eight rebounds, three assists and one steal across 26 minutes during Friday's 125-120 victory over Charlotte.
Okongwu wasn't able to match his 28-point output from Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Nets, but the 2020 first-round pick still managed to play more minutes than starting center Clint Capela (22) on Friday. Okongwu ended up leading the Hawks in rebounding, with three of his boards coming on the offensive end of the floor. He should continue to be the first big man of Atlanta's bench, and if his strong play persists, he could join the starting five in place of Capela.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Coming off bench
Rotowire
Okongwu is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's season opener versus Brooklyn, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Okongwu is set to reprise his backup role behind Clint Capela. Capela was freshly cleared from Wednesday's injury report after overcoming ankle soreness, and he is not expected to have a limited workload.
Okongwu finished with nine points (4-7 FG, 1-4 3PT), four rebounds, one assist and one block in 16 minutes during Thursday's preseason loss to the Thunder.
Okongwu made his preseason debut, finishing with a modest stat line in limited minutes. It is unclear whether Okongwu will be the starter this season, although based on what we have seen over the past couple of years, confidence is low. However, Clint Capela is dealing with an ankle injury, something that could open the door for Okongwu to get first crack at the role. Either way, he makes sense as a target anywhere after pick 100.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Returns to starting lineup
Rotowire
Okongwu (toe) is in the starting lineup for Thursday's preseason game against the Thunder, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Okongwu will move past a toe injury, make his preseason debut and start at center due to Clint Capela (ankle) being sidelined. Capela's injury is reportedly minor but may impact his status for Wednesday's regular-season opener against Brooklyn. Whenever Capela misses time, Okongwu will likely be the primary beneficiary.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Still out Wednesday
Rotowire
Okongwu (toe) won't play in Wednesday's preseason game against the Heat, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Okongwu hasn't appeared in a preseason game as he continues to rehab from a toe procedure he underwent back in April. His last chance to take the floor before the regular season comes Thursday against Oklahoma City.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Won't see floor Monday
Rotowire
Okongwu (toe) has officially been ruled out of Monday's preseason game against the 76ers, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
This does not come as a surprise as coach Quin Snyder said Monday there was a "good chance" Okongwu wouldn't suit up. The big man is working his way back from a non-surgical procedure on his left big toe that he underwent in April. The club is taking it slow with Okongwu's recovery, though there is optimism that he returns to game action during the preseason -- with his next opportunity coming Wednesday against the Heat.
